If you have heating oil at your home, or you’ve recently moved into a home with an oil tank, there are some rules you need to follow. These heating oil tank regulations and rules keep you safe, protect your neighbours and look after the environment. This guide explains what you need to know in simple terms.
The Basic Rules for Oil Tanks
In England, oil storage rules came in during 2001. Scotland and Wales have similar rules. These rules apply to any oil tank that holds more than 200 litres. That covers nearly all home heating oil tanks.
You are responsible if something goes wrong with your tank. If your tank leaks and causes damage, you could face fines up to £5,000. You also have to pay for the clean-up, which can cost tens of thousands of pounds.
Do You Need a Bunded Tank?
Bunded oil tanks are essentially a tank inside another tank. If the inside tank leaks, the outside tank catches the oil. Nothing spills on the ground. These tanks are now standard for most new installations.
For home tanks, you need a bunded tank in certain situations. The rules depend on where your tank sits and what is around it.
When You Must Have a Bunded Tank
Your tank must be bunded if:
- Your tank holds more than 2,500 litres
- There is an open drain or loose manhole cover nearby
- Your tank is within 10 metres of a stream, river, pond or ditch
- Oil could run over hard ground and reach water
- Your tank is within 50 metres of a well or borehole
- You cannot see the tank vent from where you fill the tank
- The building is not a normal family home (like a farm building or business)
- Your property has any unusual risks
Not sure if you need a bunded tank? An OFTEC engineer can check your property and tell you what type of tank you need. They fill in a form called TI/133D that looks at your specific situation. You can also check out our in-depth guide to bunded oil tanks.
Where to Put Your Oil Tank
Where you put your tank matters a lot. The right spot keeps you legal and keeps everyone safe.
Keep Your Tank Away From Water
Your tank must be at least 10 metres away from any water. This includes streams, rivers, ponds and ditches. If you have a well or borehole, keep your tank at least 50 metres away.
This stops oil getting into water if something goes wrong. Oil in water is very harmful to wildlife and can poison drinking water supplies.
Keep Your Tank Away From Buildings
Put your tank at least 1.8 metres from doors, windows and air vents. This stops oil fumes getting into your home if there is a leak.
Choose firm, level ground that can take the weight. A full 1,200 litre tank weighs about 1,000 kilograms. Soft or sloping ground can cause your tank to move or tip.
What Your Tank Must Have
All heating oil tanks need certain features to meet the rules. These features keep your oil safe and stop spills.
Your tank must have:
- Clear markings showing how much it holds (in litres)
- A label on the fill pipe saying what fuel is inside
- A vent pipe with a cover to keep rain out
- A way to stop overfilling (or someone watching when you fill it)
- Lockable valves so people cannot take fuel without permission
- Solid foundations or a strong base to stop it moving
If You Have a Single-Skin Tank
Some older tanks have just one layer (single-skin tanks). These are allowed in some cases, but only if you have proper safety measures.
If you have a single-skin tank, you need either a special base that can catch spills or a drip tray.
The base must be solid and waterproof. It needs to hold at least 110% of what your tank can hold. This means if your tank holds 1,000 litres, your base needs to hold 1,100 litres.
The base must be made from something oil cannot damage. Sealed concrete works well. The edges need to be raised to stop oil running off.
Checking Your Tank Every Year
You should check your tank at least once a year. This helps you spot problems before they turn into expensive leaks. Many people get their tank checked when their boiler gets serviced. An engineer can check both at the same time.
What to Look For
When you check your tank, look at:
- The tank body for rust, cracks or damage
- The legs or base to make sure everything is level and stable
- All pipes and valves for leaks or wear
- The vent pipe to check it is secure
- The fill cap to make sure it seals properly
- The ground around your tank for oil stains
- The outside tank (if you have a bunded tank)
- Your overfill prevention device to check it works
- Your tank gauge to make sure it is accurate
What Happens if You Break the Rules
If your tank does not meet the rules and it leaks, you face serious problems. The fine can be up to £5,000. For bad pollution, fines can be much higher with no upper limit.
You also have to pay for all the clean-up. Cleaning polluted soil costs thousands of pounds. If oil gets into a stream or river, the costs can be tens of thousands. Your home insurance might not cover this if your tank did not meet the rules.
Oil leaks can poison your neighbour’s land or water supply. They might take you to court for damages. This is why following the rules is so important.
Getting Your Tank Installed Properly
When you get a new tank or replace an old one, use an OFTEC engineer. OFTEC stands for Oil Firing Technical Association. These engineers are trained and registered. They know all the rules.
After they install your tank, they give you certificates. Keep these safe. Your insurance company will want to see them. Some councils also ask for these papers.
An OFTEC engineer costs a bit more than doing it yourself. But they make sure everything is legal and safe. This protects you from fines and insurance problems.
Did you know? If you choose to install your own tank, and neglected to have this approved and signed off by an OFTEC engineer, this can invalidate any guarantees or warranties on your tank.
When to Replace Your Oil Tank
Most oil tanks last 15 to 20 years. After this, they start to wear out. Steel tanks can rust, especially near the sea or in exposed spots. Plastic tanks can become brittle over time, particularly in strong sunlight.
Replace your tank if you see rust or cracks, find leaks you cannot fix, notice your tank is no longer level, or your tank was installed before 2001 and does not meet current rules.
When you replace your tank, think about getting a bigger bunded tank. Bigger tanks mean fewer deliveries. You can also buy oil when prices are low and fill your whole tank. For more about tank sizes and costs, see our guide on how much it costs to fill a heating oil tank.
Questions People Often Ask
Do I need planning permission for an oil tank?
Usually no. Most home oil tanks up to 3,500 litres do not need planning permission if they are more than one metre from your property boundary, but always be sure to check this with the local authority before installing a tank. But check with your council if you live in a conservation area or near a listed building. Special rules might apply.
Can I install my own oil tank?
You can, but we do not recommend it. OFTEC installation makes sure everything is legal and safe. It also gives you the certificates your insurance company wants. The cost of professional installation is small compared to the risks of getting it wrong. Important: If you install your own tank, you must get it signed off and approved by an OFTEC engineer to ensure it’s being done properly, and to retain any guarantees or warranties.
What if my tank is old and does not meet the rules?
If your tank was installed before 2001, it might not meet current rules. Check if your tank is within 10 metres of water or has other risk factors. If it does, you should replace it with a bunded tank. An OFTEC engineer can assess your tank and advise you.
How do I know if my tank is leaking?
Watch for your fuel level dropping faster than normal, oil smells near your tank, dark stains on the ground, dying plants near your tank, or a rainbow sheen on nearby puddles or water. If you think your tank is leaking, turn off your boiler straight away. Then call your oil supplier and the Environment Agency. Quick action reduces damage and costs.
What if I live on a farm?
Farm tanks have stricter rules. Any tank over 200 litres for non-domestic use must be bunded. This includes tanks for farm machinery, workshops or commercial farming activities. The same location rules apply – stay away from water and buildings. Talk to an OFTEC engineer about farm tank requirements.
Keeping Your Tank Legal and Safe
Following oil storage rules protects you, your property and the environment. The rules might seem complicated at first, but they mostly come down to common sense and regular checks.
At Stoddards, we help homeowners across Staffordshire, Cheshire, Shropshire and Derbyshire with their oil storage needs. We can advise on the right tank for your property. We can connect you with OFTEC engineers. And we can make sure your setup meets all the rules.
Need help with your oil tank? Not sure if your tank is legal? Want advice on replacement? Call us on 01538 752253. Our team is here to help.
For more about heating oil – including costs, when to buy and how your system works – see our Ultimate Guide to Home Heating Oil.